Two residential buildings in Trinitat Vella were evacuated overnight due to strong vibrations from surface construction. The city council demanded Adif review its work methods and improve communication with locals.
Dozens of residents in Barcelona’s Trinitat Vella district were evacuated from their homes in the early hours after intense vibrations from a surface compactor disrupted two apartment buildings. The incident, which unfolded in the Sant Andreu area, prompted emergency calls and a rapid response from local firefighters. According to city officials, the vibrations were linked to ongoing railway works by Adif, not to any underground construction or tunneling.
Jordi Valls, Barcelona’s Deputy Mayor for Economy, Finance, Housing and Tourism, clarified that the disturbance was unrelated to the recent sinkhole in Putxet, which had been caused by a tunnel boring machine. In this case, the source was a surface-level compactor operating as part of Adif’s project to stabilize embankments for a temporary rail diversion. Residents reported feeling the vibrations inside their homes, leading to the precautionary evacuation of two buildings until the situation could be assessed.
Following the incident, the city council demanded that Adif reconsider its approach to such works, especially during nighttime hours when the impact is more noticeable. Valls emphasized the need for clear communication with affected residents and called for measures to minimize disruption. The compactor has since been halted, with assurances that it will only be used under conditions that reduce its effect on the neighborhood.
The event highlights ongoing tensions in Spanish cities over the balance between essential infrastructure upgrades and the quality of life for local communities. Similar challenges have arisen elsewhere, such as when a fire in Madrid’s Chamberí district led to the overnight evacuation of two residential blocks, as reported in coverage of the Chamberí fire evacuation. In both cases, authorities faced pressure to improve safety protocols and communication with residents.
Barcelona’s Trinitat Vella is a densely populated neighborhood where infrastructure projects often intersect with daily life. Adif, the state-owned rail infrastructure manager, is responsible for a wide range of works across Spain, many of which are critical for modernizing transport links but can cause significant local disruption. The city council’s intervention reflects a broader trend of municipal governments demanding greater accountability and transparency from national infrastructure operators. As urban areas continue to grow and upgrade, the challenge of balancing progress with residents’ well-being remains a central issue for Spanish cities.
